Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-10-14
CHAPTER NJ.

busy, but soon Suzanne began tohave a little
more time, which she occupied in riding about,
the pleasant neighborhood, skctching and
gathering the wild flowers and ferns that
that grew so bountifully in every direction.
One morning she started early with her
sketching implements TO visit an old abbey,
which had many historic rccoections, and
reached there about ; o'clock, and gave her
horse in charge of the guard, who had a little
cottage near by This abbey was considered
a fine piece of architecture and was kept in
repair by the care of Baroness Nathaniel
De Rothschild, TO whom it belonged.
Suzanne went to worl, diligently and
painted continually until about noon. trans
ferring the scene to her canvass with much
effect. Then she suddenly discovered that
she was both hungry and thirsty. Il will 60
and get a drink. Perhaps that is all | want,
after ALL"
She returned to the keepers house. and
there the keepers wife, buXom, handsome
young woman, offered Suzanne some lunch,
and as she sat at the snowy table young
man in hunters costume entered the door
with his gun and game bag, followed by
magnificent hunting dog.
He bowed profoundly without speaking,
and the keepers wife pleasantly, if What
y.
"AIademoisele do not be afraid This is
gentle youth, NJ. Pierre De Norvlle, who has
permission to shoot in the park He lives
near here with his mother and elder brother.
When he hunts he always comes here for his
lunch
Suzanne replied to his profound bow by
few words and fastened her own lunch, that
he might have his, as she had no mind to sit
at table with him, although be was very
handsome, with something foreign in the
peculiar shape of his eyes and his complexion.
He looked more like an Oriental than French.
Suzanne excused herself and returned to
her work, telling the keepers wife to have
her horse ready in an hour
When she went cut Pierre followed her
with his eyes, and he piled the good natured
Catharine with questions as to the beautiful
young Miss Forney, who did not act so
frightened as do all young French girls when
they happen to meet young man. He adj
mired her sweet but sober dignity and her
evident self possession, and in fact he waved
exceedingly enthusiastic. Pierre fingered
long over his omelet and fresh bread, coffee
and cream cheese, in hopes of seeing the
| young lady again, but at last with a heavy
| sigh took his departure.
Suzanne worked until she had finished what
she wished to do and then returned to the
cottage, and giving Catharine her implements
| and half finished sketch said: II shall be
| here early tomorrow morning, and try to
| finish it," and then she rode off rapidly. At
the moment she was about to leave the park
she made gesture of veyation and annoy
ance a, She saw Pierre De Noirville standing
immovable ms a statue and gazing at her with
earnest admiration.
!
abruptly and shamefacedly toward his home,
the Meridon farm, which was to be seen from
the gate Of the park.
| Melidon farm was situated at about six
miles from the White House and consisted of
| POO or 800 acres, through which ran the
Yvette river and here lived Julia DE Noir-
Vile with her two sons, Raymond and Pierre.
This farm was all that they had to depend
upon, for Lucien's death left them but lily
provided for until Lucien's uncle had died,
hequeathing this property 10 the two
brothers. Pierre managed the farm while
| Raymond was preparing himself for the la W
| in Paris.
Julia had greatly changed during these ten
years which followed the condemnation for
life to tho man she loved ami the death al her
husband kemorSe had aged her, aud, Ill
though She was but A., sho was bent and
witLcred and had the appearance of an old
woman. There was not day passed nor !,
night in which she did not seem 10 see two
phantOms-the one whom she lad sent ~ a
prison aud death, the other her good and gen
tie husband, dead in his friends defense.
Her life since then had been one poignant
regret. Had it not been for her two sons sll-
would certainly have diyulgei her part il
this horrible crime; but to clear Roger,
name she must blight those of her two sons
And she thought Roger was dead, as lie wa,
reported to have been killed in an attempt al
escape
Raymond was % years old aud Pierre Il
Raymond was small, pale and OF nervous
temperament with his fathers soulful eyes
while Pierre was large, robust and dark
Both were handsome.
Though living in Paris Raymond came
often to the farm, always Sundays, and d.
often as his duties and studies permitted hin
during the week.
The two brothers loved their mother ten
derby, and respected her habitual sadness u
the natural result Of the loss of her Lu,ban.
in so tragic a manner. They believed thu
She could never be cOnSoled for that lraave
ment.
That evening Raymond returned from
Paris, and seeing the game lag he rrmarhe,
to Pierre:
III it i, pleasant tomorrow l viii hunt will
you"
Pierre did not answer. II Raymond ha,
noticed his brothers face then he would hay
seen a look Of annoyance pas, over il.
The nrXt morning the sun Shone bright am
the two brothers went out with their guns
and fora long time kept together, as they hat
, but one dog, but at last Raymond found him
seif alone, and as he was a little tired he DC
cided to go on TO the keepers cottage an
, wait there for Pierre, who would be sure t
come there for his lunch, But as lie passc
| along by the ruins he noticed outlined again-
, the sky the figure of n beautiful young gil
a standing ON wall, which was so Old that
a was IA wonder it had stood so long.
: He was so surprised by this uneXpecte
! vision that he forgot where he was or that h
r held a gun in his hand, when the dog saw
pheasant and made a movement which tire,
: the butt of Raymond's gun backward agains
1 Il tree, and there was "A sharp report, folowe
| bV n rII Shinp crumblinp noise and "A woman